Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-19 at home on Sunday, overcoming a 10-point deficit to capture the NFC South title thanks to a late 11-yard touchdown run by rookie Bucky Irving.
As the Buccaneers guaranteed their place in the NFL playoffs, Irving, a former Oregon Ducks star, finished with 19 carries for 89 yards. If the Los Angeles Rams fall short against Seattle, Tampa Bay will get the third seed in the NFC. The Rams will be the fourth seed if they win. The Buccaneers will host a wild-card playoff game in any case.
The Buccaneers had another objective to accomplish, and they were only 36 seconds away from winning the division title.
Run out of time and take a knee on their 32-yard line?
Not a chance. To make history, Mike Evans still needed five yards.
After Tampa Bay’s triumph, there was a wild celebration after Evans caught a 9-yard pass on the game’s last play to surpass 1,000 yards for the 11th consecutive season, tying Jerry Rice for the most in NFL history.
Evans always prioritizes the team, according to Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. You love him because of this. He is a blessing to us. In the league and the media, he is not given enough credit. He is unique. That’s what he deserves. The stadium exploded in front of you. The sideline erupted, and you saw it. It’s evident how much people love him and the impact that has on those around him.
In his first career victory after falling behind by 10 or more points, Mayfield rallied the Buccaneers from a 16-6 disadvantage by using his arms and legs to help them capture their fourth straight division title. Those times, Mayfield had gone 0-43.
Mayfield scrambled 28 yards for a critical first down on the following drive after throwing a 32-yard touchdown ball to Jalen McMillan for the game-winning score. The Buccaneers drove to the Saints 11 following Mayfield’s lengthy fumble on third and 14 from the Tampa 12. While searching for Evans, Mayfield threw the ball back to Irving, who went 11 yards to score the touchdown.
The Buccaneers had one more chance to give Evans the milestone after the Saints turned the ball over on downs.
Evans sprinted upfield for a 9-yard gain after Mayfield threw him a short throw. After he stood up and spiked the ball, comrades surrounded him.
Evans, who missed multiple games this season due to a hamstring ailment, stated, “I was hoping we got a stop because I can’t pass up history.” I’m glad they gave me permission to go acquire that. For 11 years in a row, it’s difficult. It means a lot to me and my family to be associated with one of the greatest receivers of all time, if not the greatest.
Mayfield had a career-high 68 yards rushing and threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns as the Buccaneers (10-7) ensured they didn’t need to lose to Carolina in order to win the division. In overtime, the Falcons ultimately fell short.
Spencer Rattler led the Saints (5–12) with 240 passing yards and one touchdown.
The Buccaneers fell behind 16–6 at the half after trailing for the majority of the game. In the fourth quarter, Mayfield scored a point after connecting with McMillan, giving them the lead. After extending the drive on fourth-and-eight with a 33-yard reception, McMillan was given a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. The rookie receiver made what was thought to be a gunshot motion when he signaled first down. The Buccaneers fell from the 9 to the 24 as a result.
However, McMillan made up for it by scoring his sixth touchdown in the last five games with a toe-tapping catch in the end zone.
Regarding the gun motion, McMillan stated, “I didn’t really think about it because my fingers were taped.” However, I made a mistake. Football has its highs and lows, so I maintained my composure, but the ball found me once more.
Including Rattler’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis, the Saints scored on their first four drives.
Rattler tore up Tampa’s defense in the first half while facing a weak secondary that was missing three starters. He gained a 10-point advantage and finished 21 of 28 for 151 yards.
The Bucs made it to the playoffs for the fifth time in a row, and Tom Brady watched from the broadcast booth. Brady started the run in 2020 after leaving the Patriots to play for Tampa Bay, where he guided the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl victory.
After Brady retired last season, Mayfield took over, rekindled his career, and led the Bucs to the divisional round.
With 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns this season, Mayfield enjoyed a career year.
Despite starting the season with a lot of hope, the Saints ended up having a poor season. New Orleans outscored the Cowboys and Panthers 91-29 to start the game 2-0. However, when the Saints disintegrated, special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi temporarily replaced coach Dennis Allen.
“It’s pretty amazing that our guys went out there and put in the effort they did, and that we’re playing for nothing,” Rizzi said. Our boys are fighting, scratching, and clawing all the way up to the season’s last play. They deserve credit for it.
When they failed to score first this season, the Buccaneers were 0–6. On the first drive, Blake Grupe gave the Saints a 3-0 lead with a 35-yard field goal.
INJURIES
Saints: S In the fourth quarter, Tyrann Mathieu suffered a concussion and had to leave the game.
Buccaneers: S The knees of CB WR Jamel Dean, TE Cade Otton, and Antoine Winfield Jr. were not used. S Jordan Whitehead was hurt in a car accident, therefore he was also unable to play.
UPCOMING
Saints: Looking for a head coach.
Buccaneers: Organize a playoff game with wild cards.
— Based on wire and staff reports
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